Scientists for Global Responsibility condemns the UK government on renewables policy change

Scientists for Global Responsibility (SGR) condemns the government decision to abandon its target of 20 per cent of UK electricity generated from renewable energy sources by 2020.

The government has, for many years, been less than whole-hearted in its support for the expansion of renewable energy. This has been evidenced not least by a lack of significant R&D funding, disorganised and over-complex schemes for demonstration programmes, and a lack of support in the planning process.

While there are real opportunities to make up for this mismanagement, the government has instead – as evidenced by comments to the media in advance of the conclusion of the public consultation – decided to return to supporting new nuclear power.

The government’s own advisors, the Sustainable Development Commission,warned last year that a new nuclear power programme would be likely to undermine efforts on the alternative ways of reducing carbon emissions, and that this would likely compromise the overall effort. We believe the abandonment of the renewables target is the first sign of this.